What is a good all in one PC protector?

Answer 1

Answer: To answer this question properly, we have to look at the evolution of security threats as well as the evolution of system security software. The first computer virus, known as the Creeper virus, was an experimental self-replicating program written by Bob Thomas at BBN in 1971. Creeper infected DEC PDP-10 computers running the TENEX operating system. Creeper gained access via the ARPANET (see note below) and copied itself to a remote system where the message, "I'm the creeper, catch me if you can!" was displayed. Note: APRA (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) was created by the United States Department of Defense during the Cold War and was the world's first operational packet switching network, and the predecessor of today's global internet. While hard to believe, it was only in 1991 that the World-Wide Web was introduced. It had been developed by Tim Berners-Lee, with assistance from Robert Caillau (while both were working at CERN). But as far back as 1971, Bob Thomas had created the first virus which was basically a harmless and experimental self-replicating program. To make a long story short, the details of the experiment eventually leaked out and its concept was plagiarized and honed by computer gurus albeit; the global Internet was still some years away. By the time that the global Internet was finally introduced in 1991, groups of computer pranksters slowly began to infest the Internet with basically harmless viruses. However, towards the late 90's, Computer Viruses had evolved to a level whereby they were actually causing file damage to infected PCs. While this claim cannot be fully substantiated, it is believed that Message Labs, now part of Symantec, introduced the first commercially available anti-virus program in 1999 and hence, the first generationcomputer security threat system was born. Over the next two years, computer pranksters had developed a computer security threat that in many ways, was significantly more serious than the virus. This new threat is currently known as Malware or Spyware. Then companies, such as Symantec and Webroot, to name a few, introduced anti-spyware software. For an average PC to be protected, the PC's owner had to have both an anti-virus & anti-spyware program to ensure adequate security threat protection. However, it soon became apparent that having an anti-virus program running concurrently with an anti-spyware program consumed so much system overhead, that it drastically reduced the performance and stability of one's PC. To address this issue, developers of computer security threat systems then combined both functions into one software package giving birth to a second generation computer security threat system. While still demanding on system overhead, it was tolerable. At around the same time, a new security threat emerged which today, is known as computer hacking. Although Microsoft PC's had a built-in firewall, hackers were able to get around it resulting in 3rd party companies, such as Symantec and Webroot, to develop their own firewalls. Despite the best efforts of Security threat protection systems and improved 3rd party firewalls, it seemed as if the hackers were always one step ahead. This situation now led to a third generation computer security threat system that amongst other things, was an "all-in-one" security system. Now, I can properly answer the question: How do computers benefit from having all-in-one security system installed The benefits of having an "all-in-one" security system include: 1. Improved system performance: Rather than having a mishmash of anti-virus; anti-spyware and firewall components thrown together, software developers decided to completely redesign security threat software from the bottom up. This redesign in tandem with more efficient programming tools produced security threat software that was lean & mean on system overhead. Gone were the days when running a security threat program virtually consumed 50% to 60% of a PC's resources. 2. Sophisticated threat detection: New methods of detecting viruses and spyware were introduced such as heuristic analysis, which is an expert based analysis that determines the susceptibility of a system towards a particular threat/risk by using various decision rules and/or weighing methods. The logic here is simple: If a particular string of programmed code (on one's PC) has many of the attributes of a known virus or spyware; then in all probability it is. Other sophisticated detection methods may include: (a) AntiRootkit; (b) AntiPhishing; (c) EmailScanner and (d) AntiBot technologies. 3. Real-time detection: Previous generations of security threat systems were reactive in the sense that they were designed to detect viruses and spyware that had already infiltrated one's PC. On the other hand, most quality security threat systems have been designed to proactively intercept viruses and spyware before they actually infiltrate one's PC. 4. Firewall protection: New generation security threat systems generally provide increased firewall protection by employing (a) 2-way Personal Firewall; (b) Safe Wi-Fi and VPN connections and (c) advanced Intrusion Prevention technologies. In conclusion, most "all-in-one" security systems benefit one's PC through improved PC performance and stability in addition to proactively intercepting known threats and suspected threats before they can infiltrate your PC. Improved firewall techniques significantly reduce the risk of hacker intrusion. I am a recently retired computer engineer and have personally tested several categories of software including Security Threat suites. There are two that I have had excellent results with namely, Avira AntiVir Premium and Kaspersky Internet Security 2009. Both can be downloaded on a 30-day trial basis.